Al Yarmouk Research Articles

Utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Technologies in EFL Classrooms: A Novel Approach to Improve Vocabulary Learning and Retention

This study investigates the potential for EFL courses to benefit from VR and AR technologies to enhance vocabulary learning and retention. The study included 220 English language and literature students from English departments at colleges, including Al Balqa Applied University and Al Yarmouk University in Jordan. The implications and data generated from this study aim to provide insights into how new immersive technologies can be applied, compared to traditional methods, in an educational context to enhance vocabulary acquisition. Pre- and post-tests measured vocabulary acquisition, and the delayed post-test was conducted weeks after the study was completed to measure the acquisition and retention of vocabulary. The study demonstrates significant differences in vocabulary acquisition following the intervention using VR and AR technologies compared to traditional learning methods. The average scores before the pretest were similar in all groups, with VR at 45.2, AR at 46.0, and control at 44.8. The results of the post-test, however, had average scores for VR at 78.5, AR at 75.3, and control at 58.4. The direction of the measures indicated significant improvements in vocabulary acquisition among the students in the English departments at the universities who used VR and AR technologies. The study is prospective; VR and AR technologies significantly improve vocabulary acquisition in EFL learning environments.

Характеристика генів інтегронів клінічних ізолятів Pseudomonas aeruginosa, які реалізують резистентність до антибіотиків та біоплівкоутворення цими штамами

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that holds significant clinical and epidemiological significance. It serves as the principal etiological cause of opportunistic infections in individuals with impaired immune systems. Integrons are known to have a notable impact on Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in the context of P. aeruginosa, a bacterium recognized for its ability to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Aim. To systematically characterize and detect integron genes (intI, intII, intIII) with antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-forming capabilities in isolated P. aeruginosa. Methods. A total of 209 samples were collected from Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad City, Iraq to isolate P. aeruginosa. The process of bacterial identification was carried out phenotypically and by biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured using the Vitek2 system. Biofilm quantification was done by the microtiter method. The PCR approach was employed to assess the presence of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons. Results. P. aeruginosa was identified in 83 isolates by using a combination of morphological and biochemical examinations where all isolates showed the ability to grow a selective medium on cetrimide agar for P. aeruginosa. The results also showed significant variances (p < 0.05) among the percentage of a number of samples and isolated P. aeruginosa. The burn and wound infection scored the highest percentages (25% and 19%) based on the positivity of P. aeruginosa, whereas burn and ear sites scored the highest percentage (58% and 50%). Also, the isolates show the ability to form biofilm at a percentage of 68.7% with resistance to a high number of antibiotics. The multidrug-resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa isolates scored high percentages (49.4% and 34.9%) whereas potentially pan drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant isolates scored low percentages (2.4% and 13.3%). PCR results showed that integron I scored the highest percentage (100%) compared to integron 2 found in 3 (10%) isolates, and no intI3 gene was detected in any of the P. aeruginosa isolates. Conclusions. Overall, the findings of the present investigation indicate that integrons and biofilm development are recognized as significant factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. The prevalence of class 1 integrons is shown to be significantly high in all bacterial isolates, with a complete occurrence rate of 100%. This high incidence of class 1 integrons is associated with the development of resistance to crucial antibiotics, including β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.

Characteristics of Pneumothorax in a Neonatal Unit at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital

Characteristics of Pneumothorax in a Neonatal Unit at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital

Studying the resistance of methicillin –resistant staphylococcus aureus against Different groups of antibiotics.

Back ground: MRSA developed resistance to β-lactam antibiotics through the acquisition ofthe mecA gene that encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which has a significantlyreduced affinity for β-lactam antibiotics, thereby conferring β- lactam resistance . The detectionof mecA by the (PCR) is considered a gold-standard technique for methicillin resistancedetection .Objective:This study was aimed to isolation and identification of S.aureus by traditional andmolecular methods and determine their susceptibility to different groups of antibiotics.Materials and Methods: Two hundred and ten samples were collected from different sourcesof patients in different age groups and for the period from the beginning of January 2015 untilthe end of June 2015, from different Hospitals in Baghdad (Ibn Albalady, Al Yarmouk,Baghdad teaching hospital and AlKindy).Results: Depending on the molecular methods (137) out of (210) isolates were methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA. Antibiotic sensitivity test was conducted using 20types of antibiotics include:- Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Azithromycin, Cefoxitin,Ciprofloxacin, Clarerythromycin, Clindamycin, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Gentamycin,Methicillin, Norfloxacin, Oxacillin, Penicillin, Rifampin, Teicoplanin, Tetracycline,Tobramycin and Vancomycin.Conclusion: The results showed that the highest resistance was among beta-lactam group,where the ratio was 100% resistance to Ampicillin and Penicillin, and ratio of 91% to 86.66%and 86.66% resistance to Methicillin, Oxacillin and Amoxicillin respectively.The lowest resistance was among a group of antagonists Aminoglycosides resistance and ratioswas 37.77%, 31.11% and 35.55% to Amikacin, Tobramycin and Gentamycin, respectively,while the rest have different kinds of antibiotics effects.

Evaluation of Serum Procalcitonin and Other Kidney Function Test in Patients with Large Renal Stone

Background: Renal stone disease is a main cause for acute kidney injury . Renal stone can damage the tubular epithelial cells, which can lead to functional loss of the renal parenchyma. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin . PCT levels are marker for determine if a patient has an infection , bacteria selectively aggregate to crystal and that bacteria are associated with an increased number of crystal-crystal agglomerations. Bacteria-crystal aggregates bind to the tubular epithelium resulting in expression of stone matrix proteins in either renal tubular epithelium or inflammatory cells. Objective: To estimate serum procalcitonin (PCT) in primary renal stone patients and compare it with secondary renal stone group when renal stone size ≥ 1.5 cm. Subjects, Materials and Methods: This Cross-sectional Study was designed incorporation with college of Medicine , Mustansiriya university , chemistry and biochemistry Department . Samples were taken from Al Yarmouk teaching hospital in Bagdad , urology department . A total number of eighty eight (88) patients were registered (44 male ) and (44 female ) aged between (30-40) years. The total subjects were divided into two groups:Group I : Patients with Primary Renal Stone , Group II: Patients with Recurrent(secondary) renal stone . Results: Analysis of variance for serum PCT were significant , p ≤0.0001, indicating there were significant difference in serum PCT among renal stone size in primary renal stone group and recurrent(secondary) renal stone group . Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin increased significantly in patients with recurrent renal stone disease ,therefore, it is considered as a predictor of kidney stone disease. Keywords: Serum Procalcitonin , Primary Renal stone , Secondary Renal stone , Serum uric acid , and Serum Albumin .

Isolation of ferric Yersinia bactin A (fyuA) as virulence gene and biofilm forming in Escherichia coli was Collected from patient with UTI.

The focus of the current investigation was applied on determining the presence of ferric yersiniabactin uptake A (fyuA) virulence gene and identifying the antibiotic resistance properties in biofilm forming Escherichia coli­­ isolated from recurrent urinary tract infection patients and healthy individuals. In the Microbiology laboratory at Al Yarmouk hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, 20 (16 females and 4 males) UTI-diagnosed patient urine and stool samples, as well as 20 (10 females and 10 males) healthy individual stool samples, were collected. The samples were exposure to series test including O and H antigen based identification using an antibody (polyvalent and monovalent)-directed agglutination test, antibiotic sensitivity testing using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, Congo-red agar method-based biofilm formation identification, and virulence gene identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: 40 and 20 strains were discovered from UTI patients and healthy persons, respectively, in which O serogroups were found in 7(35%) and 3(15%) of those strains, respectively. Furthermore, only two strains of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (O157 H7) and enteroaggregative E. coli (O44 H7) were found in the UTI-based urine samples. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 60% of the biofilm positive producers (BPPs) isolated from UTI urine samples; however, only 20% of the biofilm negative producers (BNPs) isolated from UTI urine samples displayed MDR features. In the instance of virulence genes, a link was shown between fyuA (a gene that codes for an outer-membrane protein called ferric yersiniabactin uptake) and biofilm in 75% and 60% of UTI urine and stool strains, respectively, and in 55% of healthy individual stool strains. The findings of the antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that the UTI strains were 90 percent, 100 percent, 65 percent, and 40 percent sensitive to imipenem, amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin, respectively. Conclusion:The present research offers detailed information on the biofilm, virulence gene, and antibiotic resistance features of Escherichia coli from recurrent urinary tract infection patients and healthy people.

Is there a change in platelet indices among pregnant with antiphospholipid syndrome?

Introduction: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common obstetrical complication, but 50% of cases have an undetermined etiology. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APL) is an autoimmune disease that has been linked to RPL. Platelet abnormalities, particularly thrombophilia, have been linked to RPL. Objectives: This study examined the change in platelet parameters, specifically, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW), in patients presenting with RPL caused by APL. Patients and Methods: Fifty women with a confirmed diagnosis of APL syndrome with a history of RPL were assigned as a study group, and 50 women who gave birth without RPL were healthy controls. Pregnant women were recruited from Al Yarmouk teaching hospital. Personal data were collected through direct interviews with patients, followed by blood samples that were analyzed for complete blood counts and platelet indices. Results: Both platelet count and PDW showed a significant correlation with the number of pregnancy losses; Pearson’s correlation coefficient was (r=0.74, and r=0.59) for platelet count and PDW. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) calculated a platelet count cut-off value of 230, with 88% sensitivity and 84% specificity, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.89, and a P value of 0.001. The PDW had a cut-off value of 13.6 fl/L, associated with 88% sensitivity, 80% specificity, AUC=0.87, and a P value <0.001. Conclusion: Platelet indices may aid gynecologists in low-resource settings in predicting high-risk pregnancies deemed to suffer from RPL.

Can Fetal Heart Lie? Intrapartum CTG Changes in COVID-19 Mothers.

BackgroundCOVID-19 infection has raised multiple concerns in pregnant mothers; many questioned the risk of vertical transmission and the implication on the feto-maternal outcome. Cardiotocogrm (CTG) is the principal method to observe intrapartum fetal well-being. This paper aims to verify intrapartum CTG changes seen in seropositive COVID-19 mothers versus healthy controls and looks into their relation to subsequent delivery mode and neonatal outcome.MethodsA case–control study recruited 90 pregnant women at the labor word of AL Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. All were term pregnancy admitted for delivery. They were grouped into 2: seropositive COVID-19 confirmed by real-time RT-PCR test (30/90) and healthy controls (60/90). We recorded their demographic criteria, laboratory results, CTG changes, delivery mode, and indication.ResultsCOVID-19 cases showed significantly higher pulse rate, temperature, and leukocyte counts. Cesarian deliveries (CS) were higher in cases versus healthy controls (70 % vs. 53.3 %) and P = 0.45. Analysis of the CS indications showed that abnormal fetal heart tracing accounts for 33.3 % versus 15.6 % (P-value = 0.015) for cases versus healthy controls. 60 % of COVID-19 cases exhibited abnormal CTG changes versus 19.4 % in healthy controls. These changes were primarily fetal tachycardia and reduced variabilities.ConclusionsThe higher incidence of abnormal CTG in COVID-19 cases, alongside infection signs and symptoms, underlies the exaggerated inflammatory reactions inside the pregnant mother. These inflammatory reactions are the main causes of CTG changes and higher CS rates. Therefore, obstetricians are advised to optimize the maternal condition to rectify reactive CTG changes rather than proceeding into urgent CS. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13224-022-01663-6.

COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Implication on Platelets and Blood Indices.

To describe the hematological changes, the platelet indices in particular, in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to healthy pregnant women. A retrospective case-control study conducted at the Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, in Baghdad, Iraq, involving 100 pregnant women, 50 with positive viral DNA for COVID-19 (case group), and 50 with negative results (control group); both groups were subjected to a thorough hematological evaluation. Among the main hematological variables analyzed, the platelet indices, namely the mean platelet volume (MPV) and the platelet distribution width (PDW), showed statistically significant differences (MPV: 10.87 ± 66.92 fL for the case group versus 9.84 ± 1.2 fL for the control group; PDW: 14.82 ± 3.18 fL for the case group versus 13.3 ± 2.16 fL for the controls). The criterion value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for PDW at a cutoff point of > 11.8 fL showed a weak diagnostic marker, while the MPV at a cutoff value of > 10.17 fL showed a good diagnostic marker. The MPV and PDW are significantly affected by the this viral infection, even in asymptomatic confirmed cases, and we recommend that both parameters be included in the diagnostic panel of this infection.

A comparative clinical trial of vaginal misoprostol versus intracervical normal saline infiltration as a cervical ripening agent at time of hysteroscopy.

To compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol and intracervical normal saline infiltration as cervical ripening agents. A randomized comparative clinical trial had been conducted in AL Yarmouk Teaching Hospital involving two methods for cervical ripening before the hysteroscopic procedure. One Hundred women were enrolled in the study, fifty of them were those who used preoperative vaginal misoprostol and the other fifty patients were those who had been submitted to intracervical normal saline infiltration during surgery. Basal cervical dilatation, time to achieve 8 mm cervical dilatation, difficulties, and complications encountered during the procedure were evaluated and compared for both groups. The participants had been admitted for hysteroscopy for the following indications: Abnormal uterine bleeding, missed loop, infertility, polypectomy, endometrial resection, and myomectomy. Regarding operative findings, the basal cervical dilatation was not significantly different between them, the time required to achieve the required dilatation was significantly shorter for the normal saline infiltration group, 66.95 sec. ± 10.85 than for the misoprostol group which was 87.9 sec. ± 13.11. There was more difficulty in dilatation with more complications in the misoprostol group than in the normal saline infiltration group. Normal saline infiltration is a simple, readily available at the time of surgery and with fewer complications and shorter time of dilatation in comparison to vaginal misoprostol for a comparable efficacy.

Partial Seizures, Etiologies and Associated Comorbidity Factors

Background: Partial seizure is well-defined as sudden extreme, profligate, and limited electrical discharges by gray matter from some portions of the brain due to certain structural & metabolic abnormalities. Objective: To distinguish the etiologies of partial seizures and to clarify its association with the age of affected patients. Patients and Methods: A prospective study, done on all patients with neurological consultation in Al- Batool Teaching Hospital, Baqubah Teaching Hospital and Al Yarmouk teaching Hospital from Nov, 2016 to Dec, 2018. Patients with partial seizures and/with secondary generalization were merged. This was fortified through a full history, physical checkup, EEG, and MRI of the brain. The study’s sample comprising 106 patients with partial seizures, the age ranged from 6-75 years, with 52 males and 54 females. Results: Atypical neuroimaging was found in (61%) of patients. Tumors occurred in (19.7%) of patients, the highest of them below 40 years of age while infarctions comprised 25.5% of patients outside this age. Complex partial seizures(CPS) patients with temporal lobe foci comprised 83.7 % and (16.2%) had frontal lobe problems, while (49%) of Simple partial seizures (SPS) patients had frontal lobe foci, 22% frontoparietal and 13% had parietal lobe foci and had brain lesions were spotted in 75.4% of patients with SPS and (35.1%) with complex partial seizures. Conclusion: Infarction is a common reason for partial seizures in patients above 40 years while below this age the tumor is common etiology. A partial seizure is connected mostly with brain lesions. Keywords: Partial seizures, comorbid factors, brain lesions

Outcome of En Bloc Resection of Osteoidosteoma

Background: Osteoid osteomaa benign tumor is unusual before the age of 5 or after age 30 and is more prevalent in men. The main symptom is pain, which is typically severe and responsible for nocturnal awakenings. The conditons usually diagnosed through radiological imagine and confirmed by Histopathology.Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and the complications that had been risen during the surgical procedure of osteoid osteoma using en bloc resection.Methods: (10) Patients diagnosed with osteoid osteomawere treated with enbloc surgical reseaction were included in this study.the study took place at Al Yarmouk teaching hospital.the from April 2017-october 2018 and included 10 patients..(7) male, (3) females.The mean age of the sample was 18±4 years. descriptive and inferential statistical sanalysis was fulfill the study objectives..Results: There was significant decrease in their median pain scores after 8 weeks of treatment (t test , P <0 .05).Total pain resolution and cessation of analgesics were achieved in 9 of 10 patients after 8 weeks post-operatively. P value was set at 0.05 or less.SPSS software version 20 was used for data entry and statistical calculationsConclusions: En bloc resection of osteoidosteoma is very safe and effective procedure with a very low complications rates.

The Role Folic Acid and Zinc Sulphate in the Treatment of Idiopathic Infertility (A Local Study)

Objective: to evaluate the affect zinc sulphate and folic acid handling on the seminal fluid factor in patients with idiopathic male infertility. Patients and methods: From February 2013 to February 2020, 700 patients with idiopathic primary infertility, presented to Al Yarmouk teaching hospital and Al Ramadi teaching hospital in addition to 3 private clinics were enrolled in this prospective study, their age ranged from 17 to 56 years, Semen evaluation done for all patients at the start of study (baseline) and after three months of treatment. The patients received folic acid 5 mg and zinc sulphate 60 mg prepared in special capsules once daily for 3 months. Results: Seven hundreds patients completed the treatment period for 3 months. The age of patients raged from 17 to 56 years, there was statistically significant difference in the sperm concentration after treatment compared to baseline and also statistically significant difference in the perm motility after 3 months treatment period (p value 0.05). Conclusion: Handling of idiopathic male infertility with combination of zinc sulphate and folic acid was safe and effective in improving seminal fluid parameters.

Adequacy of Olmesartan monotherapy versus cotherapy in patients with essential hypertension

Olmesartan is a class of an angiotensin II receptor blocker drugs used for the treatment of hypertension. The aim of this crossover clinical study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Olmesartan monotherapy compared to Olmesartan plus amlodipine co-therapy in patients with essential hypertension. An entire of eighty-three patients (45 males, 38 females) their age ranging (45-55 ) years with essential hypertension enrolled from Al Yarmouk hospital /Iraq for this study. After reaching the point of inclusion criteria, they treated with Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg daily for a period of two months, then after two weeks of wash off, they treated with Olmesartan 20 mg daily plus amlodipine 10 mg daily for another two months. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and clinical laboratory tests that include fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, adiponectin, leptin, cystatin c and creatinine were obtained and studied at baseline (prior treatment), after two months of Olmesartan monotherapy and after two months of Olmesartan co-therapy.The statistical analyses of the data in patients using Olmesartan co-therapy versus Olmesartan monotherapy showed more effectiveness in decreasing blood pressure, better in reducing the blood levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and leptin, superior in elevating the values of insulin sensitivity index and in elevating the blood levels of adiponectin. Concisely, the addition of amlodipine to Olmesartan treatment ameliorated insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level and attenuated the leptin level.

Diagnostic value of immunohistochemical panel (Cytokeratin CK 7, Cytokeratin CK20, High molecular weight cytokeratin HMWCK (clone CK34βE12) and Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) in differentiation between poorly differentiated prostatic and urothelial carc

Background: Prostatic adenocarcinoma may spread to bladder or vice versa, this is because of the anatomical proximity ofthese two organs. The differentiation between these two tumors is critical for therapeutic and prognostic implication.Aim of study: Evaluate the usefulness of a panel of immunohistochemical markers (CK7, CK20, HMWCK34 βE12 andPSA) in differentiation between challenging cases of high grade urothelial and poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma withmorphological overlapping.Material and methods: A total of 40 cases (20 cases poorly differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma and 20 cases high gradeurothelial carcinoma) were collected from archive of teaching laboratory of Al Yarmouk teaching hospital and private laboratoriesfor the period from January 2015 to July 2017.All formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue block were stained immunohistochemicallywith a panel of marker (CK7, CK20, HMWCK34 βE12 and PSA) and scoring was performed.Results: For prostatic adenocarcinoma, 17 out 20 (85%) were positive for PSA, while only two cases (10%) of urothelial carcinomacases showed weak and focal staining for this marker (the pvalue was <0.0001). In contrast, 16 out of 20(80%) of theurothelial carcinoma cases were positive for CK34βE12 in comparison to only one case (5%)of prostatic carcinoma showedpositive expression for this marker (the p value was highly significant <0.0001).Regarding CK7and CK20: combined expression of both markers was noticed in 17 cases (85%) of urothelial carcinomacompared to only 2 cases(10%) of prostatic adenocarcinoma and the difference was highly significant(p value <0.0001). negativeexpression for both markers was noticed in 18 cases (90%) of prostatic adenocarcinoma compared to only 2 cases (10%)of urothelial carcinoma and the difference was highly significant( p value < 0.0001).CK7 positivity alone was noted in 17cases(85%) of urothelial carcinoma while only 2 cases (10%) of prostatic carcinoma show positivity for this marker and the pvalue was highly significant (p value < 0.0001).18 cases (90%) of urothelial carcinoma showed positive expression for CK20alone compared to only to 3 cases (15%) of prostatic carcinoma (p value < 0.0001).Conclusion: Using CK7 or CK20 alone will not be helpful for differentiation between prostatic carcinoma and high gradeurothelial carcinoma, while combined expression of both markers(CK7 and CK20) is very useful in ruling out carcinoma ofthe prostate, since, it is very rare for both markers to show positive expression in prostatic carcinoma.In difficult cases thatshow negative expression of both marker, CK34βE12 remain the most valuable marker for urothelial origin while, PSA immunohistochemicalmarker remains the most helpful marker to prove the prostatic origin of metastatic carcinoma.

Estimation of immunoglobulin ( IgG and IgM) in sera cutaneous leishmaniasis patients (L.donovani and L. infuntum) in Baghdad city

Leishmaniasis are parasitic diseases caused by protozoan flagellates of the genus Leishmania, parasites infecting numerous mammal species, including human. Baghdad city regarded as endemic area for cutaneous leishmanisis,so an expermental study was done in Baghdad city , the sample taken from the patients cutaneous leishmaniasis attending dermatologic clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital during the period from first of October 2017 to the first of February 2018.Ninety blood samples were collected from infected and suspected people with cutaneous leishmaniasis , which were confirmed by laboratory tests because they were all infected by amastigote form of cutaneous leishmaisis, as well as the data clarified there are a shared rate among people with cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis represented by L.donovani was( 10,11.1%) ,while L.infuntum was(40, 44.4%).

Measurement of Serum Chemerin and Deoxypyridinoline Levels in Iraqi ‎Osteoporotic ‎Postmenopausal Women with and without Metabolic Syn-drome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of medical conditions composed of ‎abdominal obesity, ‎hyperglycemia, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities, in which ‎each can affect bone in ‎different ways. We examine ‎the association between metabolic syndrome and metabolic bone disease ‎‎(osteoporosis) by ‎measuring adipose tissue marker (chemerin) and bone resorption ‎marker ‎‎(deoxypyridinoline) in ‎the serum of osteoporotic postmenopausal women with ‎and without ‎metabolic syndrome. ‎ A case-control study included 112 postmenopausal women from 51 to 67 years of ‎age. ‎Women were ‎selected from Osteoporosis Clinic- Al Yarmouk Teaching ‎Hospital and were ‎divided into two ‎groups: group (1)- patients group included 57 ‎postmenopausal women with ‎osteoporosis (35 ‎osteoporotic women with metabolic ‎syndrome and 22 osteoporotic women ‎without metabolic ‎syndrome) and group ‎‎(2)-control group included 55 postmenopausal women ‎without ‎osteoporosis and ‎metabolic syndrome. A serum sample was taken from each woman and ‎analysed ‎for ‎assessing chemerin, deoxypyridinoline, fasting serum glucose, and lipid profile. We found ‎a significant increase (p-value<0.001) in the mean value of serum chemerin ‎and ‎deoxypyridinoline ‎levels in patients compared to controls. ‎In ‎conclusion, chemerin is an adipose tissue marker associated with metabolic syndrome ‎and ‎may ‎have an impact on bone turn over and development of metabolic bone ‎disease ‎which ‎enhanced by the strong positive correlation between chemerin and bone ‎resorption ‎marker ‎‎(deoxypyridinoline).

Risedronate as a therapeutic trial post-hysterectomy in premenopausal women to prevent osteoporosis

Background: Osteoporosis is a skeletal defect manifested by a reduction of bone strength as a result of reduced bone mass to the extent that there is a higher risk of fracture even on minor trauma. Hysterectomy in a premenopausal woman is a well known cause of ovarian failure resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis.
 Objective : To clarify bisphosphonate's preventive effect on osteopenia and osteoporosis in premenopausal women after hysterectomy.
 Type of the study: Cross –sectional study.
 Method: 84 premenopausal females post hysterectomy aged between 40 – 50 years, were enrolled in this randomized controlled double blinded trail at Al Yarmouk teaching hospital and private clinic in Baghdad for a period of two years from Augest 2011 till July 2013. Participants were assigned as: 1stgroup (study group 42 women): received risedronate treatment "over a period of one year" with calcium and vitamin D; and 2ndgroup (control group 42 women) were taken as a matched group for:"age, body mass index (BMI) and fracture history", received only calcium and vitamin D as a placebo. Bone density had been assayed at the end of the year for all participants and evaluated for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
 Results: Osteopenia and osteoporosis were significantly lower in the risedronate arm as compared to those not received the drug "14.3% & 11.9% versus 26.1% & 19% respectively".
 Conclusion: The bone mineral density results were significantly better in those who received risedronate than those not received the drug.

Study the Influence of Captopril on Bone Metabolism in Elderly Hypertensive Women

Widespread use of antihypertensive agents in clinical practice necessitates the knowledge of their pleiotropic effects. At the present time there are no sufficient evidences of positive effect of these medications on bone coming from randomized controlled trials; knowledge of additional effects of those drugs on the bone metabolism will allow doctors to choose optimal treatment of hypertension, taking into account the state of bone tissue. At the same time it will also allow to prevent osteoporosis in patients having osteoporosis risk factors or initial signs of bone loss.
 Ten elderly hypertensive women age > 60 years old (64.2±3.6) treated with captopril for a 5-6 years ago while they attending Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad; in addition, newly-diagnosed hypertensives, and normotensive of the aged-matched women were participated in this study that were conducted during the period (January- May 2014). Measurement of serum calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase activity, and parathyroid hormone were done, in addition to spine mineral density and t-score of such bone density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences in the serum levels of calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase activity, and parathyroid hormone in postmenopausal hypertensive women treated for 5-6 years with captopril compared to newly-diagnosed and to aged-matched normotensive women. In addition, non-significant differences were observed in the level of bone mineral density and t score of bone mineral density in all groups of the study. In conclusion, the present study provides additional knowledge concerning the influence of captopril treatment on some selected parameters of bone metabolism in elderly hypertensive women.
 Keywords: Captopril, Bone metabolism, Elderly women, Hypertension, Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Faculty Members’ Attitudes towards the Performance Appraisal Process in the Public Universities in Light of Some Variables

The present study aimed to detect the level of faculty members’ attitudes at public universities towards the performance appraisal process and its relationship with some variables (gender, college, scientific rank, university, teaching experience, and age). The study sample consisted of (320) faculty members of both sexes in three public universities in northern Jordan, namely (Al Yarmouk University, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University). The results showed that the attitudes of faculty members towards the performance appraisal process was moderate, and the results showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the significance level (α = 0.05) in the degree of attitudes of faculty members towards the performance appraisal process in the public universities due to gender, college, scientific rank, teaching experience, and age. As for the university variable, the differences between the averages were not statistically significant.